The World Health Organization (WHO) has temporarily suspended operations at its global emergency logistics hub in Dubai due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Thursday. The conflict began Saturday with airstrikes by United States and Israel targeting Iran.
Speaking at a press conference, Tedros warned that the repercussions extend beyond the immediately affected countries.
“Operations at WHO’s logistics hub for global health emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity,” he said.
The hub, which processed more than 500 emergency orders for 75 countries last year, plays a crucial role in global humanitarian health supply chains, according to Hanan Balkhy. She cautioned that the suspension is preventing access to $18 million in humanitarian health supplies, while an additional $8 million in shipments cannot reach the hub due to airspace closures and restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
The disruption is affecting over 50 emergency supply requests from 25 countries, including $6 million worth of medicines destined for the Gaza Strip, and $1.6 million in polio laboratory supplies, potentially impacting Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the disease remains endemic.
Balkhy emphasized the urgent need for secure operations to prevent severe consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide. The WHO is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with international partners to mitigate the impact on global health emergency responses.
